Combined napkin and coaster



Oct. 18, 1955 Filed Jan. 12, 1955 B. HELBURN COMBINED NAPKIN AND COASTERI 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

Befsy He/bur'n.

ATTOBNE).

Oct. 18, 1955 B. HELBURN 2,720,766

COMBINED NAPKIN AND COASTER Filed Jan. 12, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V ENTOR.

.Fz'g JD 7 BY Bard [i e/burn.

W ATTORNEY United States Patent COMBINED NAPKIN AND COASTER BetsyHelburn, New York, N. Y.

Application January 12, 1953, Serial No. 330,624

2 Claims. (CI. 65-53) This invention relates to improvements in acombined napkin and coaster for holding beverage glasses, bottles andthe like.

The conventional coaster for holding beverage glasses and the like isusually made relatively flat, thin and smooth so that it is readilyslidable on its supporting surface with the result that it often becomeshidden under a plate, dish or other article on the table or the like,and is also prone to fall off of the supporting table.

It is a primary object of the present invention to attach the coaster toa paper napkin thereby avoiding the above objectionable features andinsuring that the coaster is always available for use.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a combined napkinand coaster which is extremely effective in preventing the moisture frombeverage glasses, bottles and the like from dropping on to the surfaceof a table and the like.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of this kind inwhich the napkin is readily separated from the coaster for use in theusual manner.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a device of thiskind which may readily be constructed by machine or hand from severalpieces of material and which may be readily and symmetrically folded fortransportation and storage in a flat or collapsed condition.

A further object is to provide a combined napkin and coaster of simpleand inexpensive construction so that the article may be thrown awayafter a single use.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects andadvantages thereof, reference will be had to the following descriptionand accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which thevarious novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a combined napkin and coaster embodying oneform of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken on the plane of the line 2-2of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of one corner of the device.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but showing a modified form of theinvention.

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken on the plane of the line 55 ofFig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. l but showing a further modification ofthe invention.

Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view taken on the plane of the line 77 ofFig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of one corner of the device ofFig. 6.

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. l but showing still another modifiedform of the invention.

Fig. 10 is a vertical sectional view on the plane of the line 1010 ofFig. 9.

The napkin 10 selected to illustrate the first embodiment of theinvention shown in Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive,

2,720,766 Patented Oct. 18, 1955 is formed from a single square sheethaving transverse fold lines 11 and 12. The sheet is preferably madefrom flexible material, such as soft paper, which may be of the fiberstock now commonly used for napkins for wiping the mouth, lips, andhands, or it may be of smooth tissue commonly used for removing from theskin cosmetics, such as cold cream and the like. If a thicker wipingnapkin is desired, a multi-ply sheet of paper is used.

A coaster 13 is mounted on the surface of the napkin adjacent its corner14. The coaster is shown of triangular shape to conform to the shape ofthe corner, and is made of heavy paper or light cardboard. It may beformed of a number of superposed sheets, or of waterproof material suchas wax paper, cellophane or the like. Certain types of blotting paperare quite effective for the purpose as the natural absorptive qualitiesthereof are of assistance in performing the function of the coaster. Thecoaster is secured to the surface of the napkin by a coating 15 ofadhesive, but it may be secured in any suitable and convenient manner.The surface area of the coaster is sufficient to provide a solid supportfor the bottom end of a beverage glass or bottle or the like.

The article may be folded along the lines 11 and 12 and when the corner14 of the napkin is folded or doubled, the coaster 13 will be folded ordoubled simultaneously therewith so that a symmetrically folded articleis produced, for transportation and storage.

The combined napkin and coaster when spread out may be placed on thetable or other support and a glass placed on the coaster 13. When it isdesired to use the napkin to wipe the mouth, lips and hands or for anyother purpose, it may be separated from the coaster by tearing along theupstanding edge 16 of the coaster. The napkin and coaster are made ofsuch inexpensive material that they may both be thrown away after thefirst use.

In the modification of the invention shown in Figs. 4 and 5, inclusive,the body of the napkin 10' is formed with a line of perforations 17along the inner edge of the coaster 13' to facilitate tearing thenapkins otf of the coaster. In all other respects, this modification issimilar to the form of the invention of Fig. 1 and similar referencenumerals are used to indicate similar parts.

Figs. 6 to 8, inclusive, illustrate another modification of theinvention in which the coaster 13" is circular in shape and the body ofthe napkin 10" is formed with perforations 17" around the coaster 13" tofacilitate tearing the napkin off of the coaster. In all other respects,the modification shown herein is similar to the form of Fig. 1, andsimilar reference numerals are used to indicate similar parts.

In the modified form of the invention shown in Figs. 9 and 10, thecoaster 13" is circular in shape and is integrally formed with anoutwardly extending peripheral flange 18. The material of the coasterbeing more or less flexible and resilient, the flange 18 will tend toconform itself to the circumference of the glass and will apply pressureover a considerable area thus tending to hold the glass on the coaster.A line of perforations 17" is formed in the body of the napkin 10"around the coaster to facilitate tearing the napkin oif of the coaster.

In all other respects, the form shown in Figs. 9 and 10, inclusive, isthe same as that shown in Fig. 1 and similar reference numerals are usedto indicate similar parts.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of myinvention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to theprecise constructions herein disclosed and the right is reserved to allchanges and modifications coming within the scope of the invention asdefined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as 3 V V 7 new anddesire to secure by United States Letters Patent is: V

1. A square-shaped paper napkin having intersecting crease lines, araised circular-shaped cardboard coaster secured .tothe surface of onecorner thereof, and an upstanding integral flange on the'periphery ofthe coaster, said coaster being confined within the outline of the nap-A square-shaped papernapkin having intersecting crease lines, a raisedcircular-shaped cardboard coaster secured to thesurface of one cornerthereof, and an integral fiange'on the periphery of the coaster, saidcoaster being confined within an outline of an area defined by adjacentcrease lines, the body of said napkin having perforations around thecoaster for separating the coaster from the-body of the napkin.

ReferencesCited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 88,722.Klaucke 'et a1. Apr. 6, 1869 Price Dec.'23, 1873 Scholich Dec. 27, 1898Weed Feb. 2, 1904 Thompson Apr. 5, 1904 Crane Oct. 17, 1916 GallaherJan. 14, 1919 Redpath Aug. 10, 1920 Christman, Jr Aug. 19, 1924 Uhalt 5.Oct. 4, 1932 Ewerlof Oct. 17; 1933 Lewin, Jr May 15, 1934 Collins Aug.28, 1934 Low June 11, 1935 Tenney Sept. 10, 1935 Graue Mar. 13, 1945Lindenberg Oct. 28, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain q.. July 28, 1932

